Mike Del Guercio's first goal of the season for Villanova upset No. 2 Duke 1-0.-- Villanova University web site photo --

DURHAM, N.C. (Friday, September 7, 2007) -- Senior striker Mike Del Guercio scored in the first half and Villanova withstood continual pressure to hang on for a 1-0 upset of No. 2 Duke before 3,459 who attended the first day of the 26th annual Duke/addidas Soccer Classic at Koskinen Stadium tonight.

"The effort from everyone tonight was monumental," Villanova coach Larry Sullivan said. "We obviously believed we could do it and there were so many individuals tonight who played at a high level. Our captains, Matt Sleece and Joe Taylor, were tremendous. Everyone was."

Senior goalkeeper Jason Friel came up with 10 saves for the victorious Wildcats (2-1) as Duke (2-1) outshot the visitors 25-4, 12-1 after intermission. Blue Devils keeper Justin Papadakis faced only two shots on goal, but Del Guercio beat him in the 33rd minute for his first goal of the season and the seventh of his career.

Sophomore forward Mike Seamon beat his man along the sideline and fed a low ball right to the foot of Del Guercio who sent a low shot off the inside of a post and in with 32:48 mark.

"I just think this is another building block for our program," Sullivan said. "I never believed the 1-0 lead would hold up. . . through the entire second half, but the effort we got in our goal-mouth from guys to get feet on the ball or block shots was incredible. It really was a total team effort. We knew (Duke) would bring everything they had in the second half."

In today's opener, 14th-ranked Saint Louis (0-0-2) played a 1-1 draw with North Carolina State (2-0-1), though SLU suffered the loss of keeper senior keeper Pat Disbennett, who was sent to the hospital after a collision on the play that led to NCSU's goal. Billikens officials reported Disbennet would be out indefinitely, but did not specify what his injuries were.

Senior midfielder El Hadj Cisse started the sequence for the Wolfpack by winning possession and sending a long through ball to sophomore midfielder Jorge Mora on the left flank. Mora carried into the penalty area and shot with Disbennett punching the shot away. As Mora and the Billikens keeper collided, the ball went to Wolfpack sophomore striker Daniel Fish, who deposited his shot into the net for his first goal of the season and a 1-0 advantage with 52:41 elapsed.

"There was no blame on any player. Both went for the ball and collided," SLU coach Dan Donigan said. "It's unfortunate to see for Pat, but he has bounced back from injuries before, so hopefully this will be no different. It was a class act by North Carolina State's coach (George Tarantini) and player involved, as both visited Pat in the hospital following the match."

Sophomore Ross Kaufman subbed in for Disbennett and made six saves to prevent any further damage.

In the 70th minute, sophomore defender Rob Viviano registered his first career point with an assist, feeding junior midfielder Kyle Patterson for an equalizing header.

"Not to discredit North Carolina State, but we played a sloppy game that was uncharacteristic of this program," Donigan said. "The play in the first half was especially sloppy and, while we improved in the second half, we were still disappointed as we have higher expectations with this team. We have to turn it around quickly as it does not get any easier on Sunday against Duke."

No. 18 West Virginia 1, No. 4 Maryland 0 (OT)

Dan Stratford needed only 35 seconds of overtime to give West Virginia a defeat of host Maryland.-- West Virginia University web site photo --

COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- Dan Stratford netted the game-winner 35 seconds into sudden death, lifting No. 18 West Virginia to a 1-0 triumph over fourth-ranked Maryland before 5,022, the fifth largest crowd at U.Md.'s Ludwig Field.

Stratford headed a line drive off a cross from his fellow senior midfielder Mike Anoia past keeper Will Swaim for his first goal of the season.

"We played well tonight and I think we deserved this win," WVU coach Marlon LeBlanc said. "I think our guys showed serious resiliency in front of a crowd of over 5,000 people."

WVU (2-1) recorded its second straight shutout behind a back-line anchored by the senior pair of Paul Cunningham and Pat Carroll, who limited the Terrapins (1-1-1) to a total of eight shots, the same number as the Mountaineers in the defensive struggle.

In a battle of freshman keepers, Zach Johnson made two saves for WVU, while Swaim made five.

"The student body and the community came out in record numbers and I am disappointed we couldn't perform at a higher level and provide a (winning) result," Maryland coach Sasho Cirovski said.

Brown 2, [6] Santa Clara 1
Boston University 4, Fordham 0

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Junior striker Dylan Sheehan and senior forward Kevin Davies each scored in a span of less than four minutes early in the second half to rally Brown to a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over No. 6 Santa Clara on the opening night of the adidas-Brown Soccer Classic before 5,022 at Stevenson Field.